Scott | Karnac Racing News

Jimmy Owens Completes Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Season in Winning Style

PORTSMOUTH, OH (October 20, 2012) – Jimmy Owens put an exclamation point on the final race of the season for the series by winning the $50,000 to win 32nd Red Buck Dirt Track World Championship presented by Borrowed Blue on Saturday Night at Portsmouth (OH) Raceway Park. Owens came into the crown jewel event already having clinched the 2012 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series title.

Owens took the lead on lap two from defending DTWC winner, Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN and led the rest of the way to become the 23rd different driver to capture one of the sport’s most prestigious events. Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN came home second, followed by O’Neal, Josh Richards of Shinnston, WV, and local driver Ben Adkins of West Portsmouth, OH.

“I don’t know what to say, putting my name on that trophy with all the great drivers that have won this race, means a lot to me and my crew. I have to thank my car owner, Mike Reece, we got together in 2007 and it’s been a tremendous relationship since,” said the 40-year-old. “I have to thank my crew we went with the right tire choice, the Cornett Engine ran strong and our goal was to win this race one day and we got it done.” (more…)

By Scott|2012-10-21T05:55:58-04:00October 21st, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series|Comments Off

Hearn Locks in Pole for Eastern States 200

Dunn, Phelps, Higbie, Bachetti, and McCreadie round out first three rows for Sunday’s lineup

MIDDLETOWN, N. Y. – Oct. 20, 2012 – The 51^st Annual Eastern States Weekend got off to a wet start, with rain pushing Friday’s scheduled Super DIRTcar Series qualifying events to today, but the delay did not hamper eight-time Eastern States 200 champion Brett Hearn’s qualifying efforts.

Hearn, just coming off a successful week in Syracuse finding victory in the VP Small Engine Fuels 200, won the pole starting position for the Sunday’s Eastern States 200 with the fast time, a 21.260-second lap in time trials.

“It’s exactly what we wanted to do today because it makes tomorrow a whole lot easier,” Hearn said. “Now we can dictate the pace and hopefully get in the pits and get a nice clean stop, but anything can happen.”

The fastest six cars in time trials earn starting positions in the front three rows for Sunday’s race. For Saturday’s time trials at the Orange County Fair Speedway, drivers could enter more than one car in time trials, and both Hearn’s entries scored in the top six. His backup car registered a 22.019-second lap, placing fifth overall.

“Track position is very important here, so that puts a lot of emphasis on how you qualify. You don’t want to be trying to dig from the back of the pack if you don’t have to.” (more…)

By Scott|2012-10-21T05:50:04-04:00October 21st, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Super DirtCar Series|Comments Off

Alex Bowman Defends Last Season’s Win at Kansas

Chris Buescher Becomes 30th ARCA Racing Series Champion

(KANSAS CITY, Kan.) – The scene for the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season finale at Kansas Speedway resembled the setting one year ago at the track, when Alex Bowman won his second career start and Chris Buescher wrapped up the Hoosier Tire Superspeedway Challenge on his way to winning top rookie honors one week later.

Friday, though, the two impressed even further at a year older apiece, with Bowman defending his victory from the pole and Buescher clinching the ARCA Racing Series championship with a eighth-place finish that looked conservative and demanding all at once.

For Bowman (No. 22 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Dodge), the win tied him with Buescher at a series-high four each in 2012, and was the sixth of his career. By beating Brennan Poole (No. 25 Colt Ford/Average Joes Entertainment Toyota) by three positions in the race, he held off Poole to win the Team Messina Rookie Challenge by four points, supplanting the now-experienced Buescher for top newcomer honors.

Buescher (No. 17 BeavEx/Reliance Tool Ford) is the 30th different champion in ARCA Racing Series history, and the second youngest at 19 years, 356 days. Before Buescher, only one driver had won ARCA Rookie of the Year honors in one year and the championship in the next – Bill Baird in 1998-99. (more…)

By Scott|2012-10-21T05:45:40-04:00October 21st, 2012|ARCA, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off

Under Pressure

Jim Rouse, BRP Media (10-20-12) Ocala, FL – As October begins to close the season does as well. The Scorpion Racing Products UMP DirtCar Modifieds, Buddy’s Home Furnishings Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks, 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks, and Barfield Law Group Mini Stocks took to the 1/3 mile and put on some of the best shows of 2012 at Bubba Raceway Park.

First up were the Hobby Stocks who saw championship contender Trevor Gamble shoot from pole to the early lead. On lap 11 caution would fly for the first time when Don Woosley grabbed too much of the berm and spun his #81 in turn 2 right in front of the leader. Just 1 caution slowed the feature event that Trevor Gamble seemed to win with ease and it helped him extend his points lead. Rodney Wright was 2^nd all night but he lost points in a critical race. Hunter Gustafson took a career night to the end and finished 3^rd with Mike Stalnaker and Joe Boyd the end of a solid top 5.

Buddy’s Home Furnishings Limited Late Models would go out next but on lap 1 JO Nobles triggered a multi-car crash including Tyler Clem, Steve Shead, and the McGillivray boys. Christian McGillivray would be the only retirement. David Showers would take the early lead from his pole position but would lose it on a lap 4 restart as Forrest Gough shot to the lead. Gough would hit the wall with 6 to go as he tried to pass lapped traffic. (more…)

By Scott|2012-10-21T05:39:19-04:00October 21st, 2012|Bubba Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off

Winchester 400 Cash Bonuses and Contingency Awards

Ross Kenseth, 1st Place: Winchester Traveling Bonus ($1500 Cash), Winchester Lap Leader Bonus ($1350 Cash Bonus), Hawk Performance ($50 Cash Bonus), Crane Cams Ignition Systems ($250 Product Certificate), Penske Racing Shocks ($100 Product Certificate), Pro Shocks ($100 Product Certificate), Hawk Performance ($75 Product Certificate), PitStopUSA.com ($25 Product Certificate), Widow Wax Product

Chase Elliott, 2nd Place: Winchester Traveling Bonus ($1000 Cash), Winchester Lap Leader Bonus ($600 Cash Bonus), Staubli ($100 Product Certificate), Port City Chassis ($100 Product Certificate), Schoenfeld Headers ($75 Product Certificate), Penske Racing Shocks ($50 Product Certificate), Racing Electronics ($50 Product Certificate), Competitive Edge Racing Software (20% Discount Product Certificate)

Johnny VanDoorn, 3rd Place: Quarter Master ($100 Product Certificate), RE Suspension ($50 Product Certificate), PitStopUSA.com ($25 Product Certificate), Hyperco Springs (One Spring) (more…)

By Scott|2012-10-21T05:29:37-04:00October 21st, 2012|CRA Racing Series, Featured, Front Page News, Racing News|Comments Off

Fox Sports Media Group, ARCA Agree on Multi-Year Television Rights Extension

(KANSAS CITY, Kan.) – Officials from FOX Sports Media Group (FSMG) and the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) have announced a multi-year extension of the current television rights agreement between the two groups, with a minimum of 10 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards events televised either live and/or same-day delay each season.

In 2013, ARCA television coverage begins with the drop of the green flag on the series’ 50th appearance at the world-renowned Daytona International Speedway in February.

“ARCA has a very supportive group of race fans, and for over 15 years they have turned to us for their television coverage,” said Scott Ackerson, FOX Sports Media Group EVP, executive producer, and SPEED president. “We now look forward to continuing in that role over the coming years.”

ARCA’s relationship with SPEED reaches back to April 20, 1997, when the network (then Speedvision) covered the ARCA Racing Series race at Salem Speedway. Since then, SPEED has aired 197 ARCA Racing Series events, with tonight’s season-ending Kansas Lottery 98.9 scheduled as the 198th.

Year-over-year broadcast ratings have spiked by 24 percent in 2012, highlighted by substantial improvements in key demographics. (more…)

By Scott|2012-10-21T05:24:28-04:00October 21st, 2012|ARCA, Featured, Front Page News, Racing News|Comments Off

Southern All Stars return to Toccoa for James Garrison Memorial/GA State Championship Oct 27th

First SAS visit since April of 2010 to the oldest dirt track in Georgia

HUNTSVILLE, AL (October 17, 2012)—After a two year absence, the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series will return to Toccoa (GA) Speedway for the James Garrison/Georgia State Championship race.

Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, GA enjoyed Southern All Stars Victory Lane in the most recent series visit to Toccoa Speedway in April of 2010. This time the SAS travelers will be the headliner of a busy night of racing for Toccoa Speedway running for the $3,500 top prize in the 40-lapper. ‘We are very excited in having the Southern All Stars back to Toccoa Speedway’ stated Race Director Brad York.

A full show of Practice, VP Racing Fuels Qualifying, Hoosier Racing Tire Last Chance Showdowns and the 40-lap Feature event await the SAS on Saturday Night October 27.

The Speedway has announced earlier start times for the Georgia State Championships as the gates for grandstands and pits will both swing open at 1:00 pm and the Drivers Meeting will be at 4:00 pm with Hot Lap sessions beginning shortly after. On October 27^th the Grandstands admission will be $20.00 with $30.00 in the Pits and Trackside. The night before, Friday October 26^th the Speedway will host an open practice for all divisions from 5-9 pm with the cost of just $10 for Pits and Trackside. (more…)

By Scott|2012-10-21T05:05:25-04:00October 21st, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Southern All Stars|Comments Off

Hearn Hopes to Continue Super DIRTcar Series Success at Eastern States

Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds take on Orange County’s Hard Clay for 51st Annual Eastern States 200 Oct. 21

MIDDLETOWN, N. Y. – Oct. 16, 2012 – Just coming off NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week XLI, the Big-Block Modifieds of the Super DIRTcar Series head south for another historic event, the 51^st Annual Eastern States Weekend presented by Arkel Motors at Orange County Fair Speedway.

Eastern States Weekend, an action-packed three days of racing set for Friday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Oct. 21, hosts the Super DIRTcar Series for the weekend’s finale, the 51^st Annual Eastern States 200 Modified Championship race on Sunday, Oct. 21. For this year’s winner of VP Small Engine Fuels 200 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, Brett Hearn, the long-running Eastern States 200 brings back childhood memories.

“As a kid, I grew up sitting in the stands at 11 and 12 years old and watching the Eastern States 200,” said Hearn, of Vernon, N. J., whose shop is located just 30 minutes from the speedway in Middletown. “It’s got a lot of history, a lot of prestige. I remember going there before I ever drove a stock car, sitting in the stands during the Eastern States races.”

Hearn, who recently claimed his sixth VP Small Engine Fuels 200 triumph after a 17-year hiatus from victory lane at the “Moody Mile,” hopes his momentum can carry his team to another strong finish at Orange County’s 5/8-mile “Hard Clay,” a track he considers his “home track.” (more…)

By Scott|2012-10-17T05:27:50-04:00October 17th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Super DirtCar Series|Comments Off

JOYCE SCORES A TOP-15 FINISH AT TRI-COUNTY (N.C.) MOTOR SPEEDWAY

MOORESVILLE, NC (October 16, 2012) – Cory Joyce and the No. 20 Ultimate Turf Chevrolet team raced from the back of the pack to bring home a 12th-place finish on Saturday night at Tri-County (N.C.) Motor Speedway. In the United Auto Racing Association (UARA) STARS Series second visit to the 4/10-mile speedway, Joyce and the Ultimate Turf team also continued to promote breast cancer awareness with pink team hats and pink frisbees for the fans.

With two practices scheduled for Saturday morning, Joyce and the No. 20 team had plenty of time to dial in the Ultimate Turf Chevrolet. Sixth in final practice, the team had their car rotating through the corners just as they needed. With a 16.987-second lap during time trials, Joyce qualified 25th for the Alpha Energy Solutions 150.

Starting in the back of the pack, the rookie driver worked closely with his spotter and crew chief to perfect his line around the 4/10-mile oval and carefully avoided all on-track incidents. Joyce paced himself while taking advantage of caution periods to regroup the competition and slowly worked through the field to gain positions. By the end of 150 laps, Joyce and the No. 20 Ultimate Turf Chevrolet team were scored in the 12th position.

“I’m really proud of my Ultimate Turf Chevrolet team,” commented Joyce. “The guys did a great job with the set up and we had a very fast car during the race. We need to figure out qualifying. Our lap times were just as fast as the leaders during the race, but if we can put ourselves in a better starting position we will likely be able to improve our finishes. We know what we need to do going into the race at Rockingham (N.C.); I’ve run well there in the past and I’m looking forward to racing there again in a couple weeks.” (more…)

By Scott|2012-10-17T04:18:46-04:00October 17th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Racing News|Comments Off

Kenseth Wins Winchester 400

Winchester, IN (October 14, 2012) – The story of the Winchester 400 Weekend at Winchester Speedway was battling through the weather to get every race finished. Some not ending until the middle of the night, moving qualifying for the Winchester 400 and then waiting out a rain delay to see one of the most exciting finishes in Winchester 400 history.

Ross Kenseth and crew worked for 399 laps to put themselves in the right place to win the Winchester 400, one of short track racing’s toughest and most coveted victories. But coming out of the fourth turn racing toward the checkered flag, 14 year old Kyle Benjamin moved under Kenseth to beat him to the line by less than 10 feet. Despite winning on the track, Benjamin was later disqualified in post-race tech due to an RPM Limiter Infraction making Kenseth the winner. (more…)

By Scott|2012-10-16T13:54:23-04:00October 16th, 2012|ARCA, CRA Racing Series, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off

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Chris Buescher Becomes 30th ARCA Racing Series Champion

First SAS visit since April of 2010 to the oldest dirt track in Georgia